10 Apps you didn't know were banned in China

India recently banned a total of 59 China-based apps for posing a threat to the country’s security and public order. This includes popular apps such as TikTok, Helo, Likee, Club Factory, UC Browser, Shareit, WeChat, Cam Scanner and Clean Master among others.

“The Ministry of Information Technology has received many complaints from various sources including several reports about misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized manner to servers outside India,” MeitY wrote in its release.

Responding to the development, China expressed its concern over the app ban. Speaking to the media, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that ‘India had a responsibility to uphold the rights of Chinese businesses’ in the country.

Interestingly, China has banned a number of international apps from entering its walled garden.

So, here is a list of top 10 that you didn’t know were banned in China:

1. Facebook

Facebook is one of the world’s most popular social media apps with nearly 2.60 billion monthly active users as of March 31, 2020. However, the app remains unavailable in China. Internet users in China use WeChat instead.

2. Instagram

Like its parent Facebook, Instagram too is banned in China. Netizens in the country use WeChat, which as per DragonSocial has 1.2 billion monthly active users.

3. WhatsApp

WhatsApp is arguably one of the most popular messaging apps in the world. However, it remains unavailable to the internet users in China. Instead, they use QQ, which is owned by Tencent.

4. Google

Google has tried to enter China in the past. Remember the Project Dragonfly? However, the search engine remains unavailable in the country till this date. People in China use Baidu, which controls over 70% market share in the country.

5. Amazon

Amazon has made shopping easy with its bumper sales and fast delivery. However, the app remains unavailable in China. Taobao and Tmall are the popular online shopping platforms in China.

6. YouTube

We all love watching videos on YouTube. However, the app is banned in China. Youku and Tudou are the YouTube alternative in China

7. Twitter

Like Google, Facebook and Amazon, Twitter too remains banned in the country. Weibo is China’s alternative for Twitter.

8. Quora

When we are in doubt, we often look up to Quora to answer our queries, but not in China. Zhihu is China’s alternative for Quora.

9. Google Maps

Just like Google, Google Maps too remains out of reach for Chinese people. Baidu Maps is the Google Maps alternative in China.

10. Tinder

If you thought dating in China would be easy due to Tinder, then let me burst the bubble, it isn’t. Momo and Tantan are some of its alternatives in the country.